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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanna Vaa Kanna Vaa (Sad)

From Vengaiyin Mainthan · 1984

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
M. S. Rajeswari
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Vengaiyin Mainthan1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannaa vaa kannaa vaaCome dear Kanna, come dear Kanna
Kaalam muzhuthum onnaa vaaCome to stay together for a lifetime
Mannaa vaa mannaa vaaCome dear king, come dear king
Mannil thavazhum vennilavaaOh white moon crawling on the earth
Engaeyo nee irunthaal idhayam punnaagumIf you are somewhere far away, my heart aches in pain
Paattai kettu mugaththai kaattuHear this song and show your face
Female
Kannaa vaa kannaa vaaCome dear Kanna, come dear Kanna
Kaalam muzhuthum onnaa vaaCome to stay together for a lifetime
Mannaa vaa mannaa vaaCome dear king, come dear king
Mannil thavazhum vennilavaaOh white moon crawling on the earth
Female
Munnerum paathaiyilaeOn the path moving forward
Mullirukkum anjaathaeThere will be thorns, do not fear
Sooriyanai moodi vaikkaTo hide and cover up the sun
Megangalaal aagaathaeClouds are not capable
Female
Munnerum paathaiyilaeOn the path moving forward
Mullirukkum anjaathaeThere will be thorns, do not fear
Sooriyanai moodi vaikkaTo hide and cover up the sun
Megangalaal aagaathaeClouds are not capable
Female
Sundeligal suththi ninnuEven if little mice surround it
Singaththathaan enna pannumWhat can they possibly do to a lion?
Sundeligal suththi ninnuEven if little mice surround it
Singaththathaan enna pannumWhat can they possibly do to a lion?
Ilanthalirae nee ezhunthu nilluOh tender sprout, stand up tall
Edhu varattum nee edhirththu nilluWhatever comes, face it courageously
Female
Thanneeru illaamaWithout any water
Thaththalikkum veraattamLike a root struggling to survive
Ennai vittu nee ponaaIf you leave and go away from me
Eththanaiyo poraattamLife becomes endless struggles
Female
Thanneeru illaamaWithout any water
Thaththalikkum veraattamLike a root struggling to survive
Ennai vittu nee ponaaIf you leave and go away from me
Eththanaiyo poraattamLife becomes endless struggles
Female
Ennaalum intha manamForever this heart of mine
Kannaa un nanthavanamIs your flower garden, oh Kanna
Ennaalum intha manamForever this heart of mine
Kannaa un nanthavanamIs your flower garden, oh Kanna
Nee sirichchaa naan sirichchiruppaenIf you smile, I would be smiling too
Nee pirinjaa naan thudichchiruppaenIf you separate, I would writhe in agony
Female
Kannaa vaa kannaa vaaCome dear Kanna, come dear Kanna
Kaalam muzhuthum onnaa vaaCome to stay together for a lifetime
Mannaa vaa mannaa vaaCome dear king, come dear king
Mannil thavazhum vennilavaaOh white moon crawling on the earth
Engaeyo nee irunthaal idhayam punnaagumIf you are somewhere far away, my heart aches in pain
Paattai kettu mugaththai kaattuHear this song and show your face
Female
Kannaa vaa kannaa vaaCome dear Kanna, come dear Kanna
Kaalam muzhuthum onnaa vaaCome to stay together for a lifetime
Mannaa vaa mannaa vaaCome dear king, come dear king
Mannil thavazhum vennilavaaOh white moon crawling on the earth

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a tender and encouraging call to a child or young hero ('Kanna'), pouring out deep maternal affection while instilling courage for the journeys ahead. The speaker addresses the child as a crawling moon on earth and reassures him that no obstacle can dull his true potential, using powerful imagery like clouds failing to block the sun and mice being unable to threaten a lion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Mannil thavazhum vennilavaa

Compares the child to a moon crawling on the ground ('Mannil thavazhum vennilavaa') and the speaker's heart to a flower garden ('Ennaalum intha manam Kannaa un nanthavanam').

Analogy / Symbolism

Sooriyanai moodi vaikka Megangalaal aagaathae

Uses nature imagery of clouds vs. sun and mice vs. lion to symbolize how petty obstacles or enemies cannot overpower true greatness.

Simile (Upama)

Thanneeru illaama Thaththalikkum veraattam

Compares the anguish of separation to a plant root struggling to survive without water ('Thanneeru illaama thaththalikkum veraattam').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kannaa vaa kannaa vaa / Kaalam muzhuthum onnaa vaa

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across paired phrases, such as 'Kannaa' / 'Kaalam' and 'Mannaa' / 'Mannil'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sung by the legendary M.S. Rajeswari, who was iconic in Tamil cinema for her distinctively youthful voice suited for child roles and gentle lullabies. The track features music by the popular composer duo Shankar-Ganesh, with lyrics crafted by Pulamaipithan for the 1984 film Vengaiyin Mainthan.

Keep listening

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